Andreescu retains Grand Slam champion mindset 4 years after U.S. Open triumph

Bianca Andreescu approaches each match like a Grand Slam champion, because she is one.

Nearly four years after winning a U.S. Open title, her confidence is undiminished.

"I definitely believe that my level is top 10 and I am still a Grand Slam champion," Andreescu told The Canadian Press. "In a way, every time I lose, it's like that person's beating a Grand Slam champion. I always have that in my head."

Andreescu's performances in recent years, however, haven't lived up to that standard.

Injury after injury and an inability to build any real momentum have led to a 15-14 singles record this year and a No. 44 world ranking entering the National Bank Open next week in Montreal.

At Wimbledon last month, Andreescu showed progress and gave world No. 5 Ons Jabeur everything she could handle in the third round before the Tunisian star went on a run to the final.

"We are starting to see all the benefits of all the work she's been doing, but it hasn't been easy," said Christophe Lambert, Andreescu's coach since November. "It's always frustrating when you can't really perform at the level you expect because you got some injuries, but I think we're getting there.

"The Wimbledon game against Ons gave her back the appetite to be performing on a big stage in front of a big crowd, and that's what she wants. I think that's what motivates her."

WATCH | Andreescu drops tight match to Jabeur :

Although Andreescu lost in a third-set tiebreak to open the hard-court season in Washington on Monday against Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, who fended off three match points, it's still her best surface.

Wins at Indian Wells and the National Bank Open in Toronto in 2019 sparked her run to the U.S. Open title over Serena Williams weeks later,